Page:The aquarium - an unveiling of the wonders of the deep sea.djvu/206

Rh It is not in its form that we must look for any peculiar elegance, for it is a flattened worm, of an oval outline bluntly pointed at each end;—nor in its general colour, for this is that of the pale brown sediment that water deposits. But it is in the clothing of long silky hair which covers each side, and which reflects the most brilliant and refulgent hues, equalling the splendours of the Humming-birds, or the Diamond-beetles. Hence Lamarck gave it the appellation of Halithea, or Sea-goddess; and Linnæus before him had conferred on it the name of the goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, the Greek title of Venus. The great master of Natural History thus expresses his admiration of this sea-worm. "The Aphrodite aculeata, reflecting the sun-beams from the depths of the sea, exhibits as vivid colours as the peacock itself, spreading its jewelled train."

In the Aquarium the Sea-mouse crawls restlessly to and fro, and round the margin of the bottom; once or twice I have seen it essay to burrow under the fine gravel, but generally it lives exposed. It is uninteresting in its manners, though the brilliance of its changing colours will always attract admiration. Perhaps it is most beautiful by candle-light, when red and orange reflections predominate; by day, pearly greens and blues prevail This difference is owing to the position of the light, and the angle at which it is reflected. Thus, if the eye glance along the bristles towards the light, which is reflected at an obtuse angle, the reflected rays will be lilac, passing into ultramarine; if the angle of reflection be a right-angle, the rays will be green; if the light be between